[SMM Analysis] June Indonesia Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data

The latest Indonesian customs data shows that Indonesia's sulphur and sulphuric acid trade in June 2026 experienced significant divergence. Sulphur imports declined YoY but rebounded MoM, while sulphuric acid imports surged both YoY and MoM. Sulphur exports grew sharply MoM, and there were no records of sulphuric acid exports. In summary:

In June 2026, Indonesia's total monthly sulphur imports were 334,700 mt, up 21% MoM and down 26% YoY. Major suppliers included Canada, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines;
Indonesia's total monthly sulphur exports were 54,800 mt, representing substantial MoM and YoY growth. Key destinations were Malaysia, China, East Timor, and Germany;
Indonesia's total monthly sulphuric acid imports were 111,200 mt, up 101% MoM and 150% YoY, primarily from South Korea, Japan, and China;
Indonesia's total monthly sulphuric acid exports were zero.

1. Sulphur Imports: Down 26% YoY, Up 21% MoM

In June, Indonesia's total imports of sulphur (including natural and refined sulphur) were approximately 334,700 mt, down 26% from 454,800 mt in the same period last year and up 21% from 277,800 mt in May this year. The major import ports, ranked by volume, are as follows:

• OBI Island was the largest import hub, receiving approximately 177,600 mt, mainly from Canada, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, China, and others;
• MOROWALI received approximately 76,400 mt, mainly from Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.;
• TANJUNG PERAK received approximately 19,300 mt, mainly from South Korea, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US, etc.;
• TANJUNG PRIOK received approximately 9,927 mt, from China, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, etc.;
• FUTONG TERMINAL received approximately 8,003 mt, all from Vietnam;
• MERAK received approximately 2,450 mt, all from Japan;
• BELAWAN received approximately 397 mt, mainly from China, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Turkey, etc.

By source country, imports from major suppliers were as follows: Canada approximately 132,000 mt, the largest supplier for the month; Saudi Arabia approximately 108,700 mt, ranking second; Kazakhstan approximately 39,900 mt; Singapore approximately 10,700 mt; Malaysia approximately 10,800 mt; Taiwan, China approximately 10,100 mt; Japan approximately 8,869 mt; Vietnam approximately 8,013 mt; South Korea approximately 3,575 mt; the Philippines approximately 2,100 mt. China's sulphur exports to Indonesia in June were only about 284 mt.

2. Sulphuric Acid Imports: Up 150% YoY, Up 101% MoM

In June, Indonesia's total imports of sulphuric acid (concentration >80%) were approximately 111,200 mt, surging 150% from 44,500 mt in the same period last year and jumping 101% from 55,300 mt in May this year. These imports were mainly directed to areas with concentrated nickel smelting projects, ranked by volume as follows:

• OBI Island imported approximately 47,300 mt, mainly from Japan and South Korea;
• WEDA imported approximately 42,900 mt, mainly from China and South Korea;
• GRESIK imported approximately 10,500 mt, all from Japan;
• LHOK SEUMAWE imported approximately 10,500 mt, all from Japan;
• TANJUNG PRIOK imported approximately 1 mt.

By source country, South Korea was the largest supplier of sulphuric acid to Indonesia in June (approx. 52,900 mt), followed by Japan (approx. 39,300 mt) and China (approx. 19,000 mt).

3. Sulphur Exports: Significant YoY and MoM Growth

In June, Indonesia's total sulphur exports were approximately 54,800 mt, a significant surge from 1 mt in the same period last year and from 24 mt in May this year. Among these:

• Malaysia was the largest export destination, with approximately 44,000 mt, accounting for about 80% of total exports;
• China was the second-largest destination, with approximately 10,500 mt, representing about 19%;
• Small volumes of refined sulphur went to East Timor (285 mt) and Germany (6.12 mt).

Additionally, there were no records of sulphuric acid exports from Indonesia in June this year , consistent with the trend from the same period last year and May this year.

4. Summary

In June, Indonesia's sulphur imports fell 26% YoY but rose 21% MoM to 334,700 mt, with Canada and Saudi Arabia as the two main suppliers; sulphuric acid imports surged 150% YoY and 101% MoM to 111,200 mt, with South Korea as the largest supplier , and OBI Island and WEDA as the two core hubs; sulphur exports grew sharply MoM to 54,800 mt, mainly to Malaysia and China, while sulphuric acid exports remained zero for multiple consecutive months.